Tube-forming machine.



J. R. HARBEGK & B. K. FORD.

TUBE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.19, 1910.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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TUBE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.19,1910.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JERVIS R. HARBECK AND BEN K. FORD, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS-,.BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 DETROIT CAN COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A' CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

TUBE-FORMING MAGHIN E.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Jnnvis R; HARBECK and BEN K. FORD, citizens of the United States of America, residing atDetroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in TubeForming Machines, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to tube forming machines of that type in which strips of paper or other flexible material are wound spirally upon a mandrel to form a tube. Such ma- -To this end, the invention consists, first,

in the association of a reforming mandrel with the cylindrical mandrel upon which the strips are first wound; further, in the construction by which the reforming mandrel is revoluble with the tube, the forming mandrel remaining stationary; and, further, in the peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is a plan view of a tube-forming machine to which our improvements are applied; Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the reforming mandrel; Fig. 3 is a cross section on line m-w Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a perspective view, showing the, manner in which the surface of the reforming mandrel is developed in changing from the circular to the non-circular section. A is the frame, upon one end of which is mounted a bracketor support bearing B for the mandrel C which projects rearward from its point of support. D D are strip-feeding guides through which the paper strips are fedafter having first been coated with the glue or other adhesive material, at E E.

F F are pulleys upon opposite sides of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentedsept. 3', 1 912.

Application filed February 19, 1910. Serial No. 544,887.

. the mandrel, over which passes a bolt G havmg a spiral wrapping about the mandrel and the tube in process of formation thereon. The construction is such that in operation the belt G will rotate and advance the tube which is formed by the winding of the strips on the mandrel, said strips being arranged to overlap joints.

The construction thus far described is old and well known in the art, and forms no part of the present invention, except in combination with the devices now to be de-' scribed.

In alinement with the rear end, of the mandrel C is a reforming mandrel H. This is of the same size and cylindrical fornir as the v mand'rel C at the point of juncture therewith, but in passing rearward from this point the form is developed gradually into a non-circular section, and as illustrated this is ofla substantially square section with slightly rounded corners. In developing this form, the perimeter is maintained of constant length, and consequently the tube'is neitherextended nor cpntracted, but merely changed in shape.

In the formation of the tube, it has been toundjdesirable to employ a stationary mandrel as the frictional resistance of the strip in passing around saiclmandrel aids in the formation of a perfect spiral winding. When, however, the form of the tube is changed to a non-circular shape, it can no longer revolve, excepting by revolving the mandrel with it. We have therefore provided means forpermitting the rotation of the mandrel H, which as shown comprises a shank lsecured thereto and passing through the mandrel C in which it is supported upon ball bearings J There is also preferably provided a ball thrust bearing K at the forward end of the mandrel G and shank I. This construction permits the mandrel. H to freely revolve with the work, while it is maintained in 'exact alinement with the stationary mandrel C, and forms no impediment to the passage if the tube from the one to the"other.

The reforming of the tube is accomplished while the latter is still green or in a plastic condition by reason of the moisture which it contains. After reforming, to retain the shape it is necessary tov dry the tube. This is preferably accomplished by an external heated former.

As shown in 1 Fig. 3, this external former comprises a sleeve L, which is of the same shape as the developedportion of the mandrel H and is sufliciently larger to provide for the thickness ofthe tube. This sleeve is journaled in a bearing M preferably by ball bearings N, and the member M is chambered at O for steam or other heating agent. Thus, as the tube advances on the mandrel H, it passes into the sleeve L, which is maintained at a temperature sufiicient to dry the tube, so that its shape will be retained.

To permit the alinement of the mandrel H and the sleeve L, the shank I is pivotally' attached to the mandrel H, s as-to provide a slight freedom for angular movement. Thus, the portion of the mandrel H which is within the sleeve L is free to adjust itself into axial alinement with said sleeve.

If desired, the rotating mandrel may be driven so as to relieve the tube from stress.

' It is necessary however to provide a [yielding drive, so as to compensate for any leakage in the drive belts upontlie tube. We

if the latter is turning at a different speed,

but will nevertheless relieve said tube of the stress of driving the mandrel alone. This drive connection is preferably specded equal;

to or slightly in excess of the maximum speed of the rotation of the tube.

What we claim as our invention is,-

1. In a machine for forming tubes, the combination with means for spirally winding a flexible strip, of a stationary cylinroansee drical mandrel upon which said strip is wound, a revoluble reforming mandrel forming an alined. extension of said stationary mandrel and receiving the green tube therefrom, and means for drying said tube while in engagement with said reforming mandrel.

2. In a machine for forming tubes, the combination with means for spirally wind-' ing a paper strip, of astationary mandrel .upon which the strip iswound; a reform ing mandrel constituting an alined extension of said stationary mandrel and over which the green tube is fed, and a revoluble heated sleeve surrounding said reiorming mandrel through which the tube is ed. r

3. In a machine for forming tubes, the combination with mechanism for spirally winding a flexible strip, of a stationary mandrel upon which said strip is wound, a revoluble reforming mandrel of different cross sections than and in alinement with the stationary mandrel, and means for driving said reforming mandrel permitting the rotation thereof at the speed of said winding means, and relieving the wound tube.

from stress.

4. In a machine for forming tubes, the combination with mechanism for spirally winding a flexible strip, of' a stationary mandrel upon which said strip is wound, a revoluble reforming mandrel of different cross section than and in alinement with the stationary mandrel, and means for driving said reforming mandrel including a friction clutch permitting the rota on of the reforming mandrel at the speed of said winding means and relieving the wound tube from stress.

In testimony whereof we allix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

J ERVIS R. .HARBECK. BEN K. FORD.

lVitnesses:

NELLIE KINSELLA, W. J. BELKNAP. 

